Pine oil-ammonia cleansing composition

ABSTRACT

A cleansing composition comprises pine oil, ammonia, a bleaching agent and water. The composition is useful for removal of undesired markings from surfaces, especially for the removal of ink and paint graffiti from metal, concrete and ceramic surfaces. The composition may include detersive agents, abrasives and phosphate builders.

United States Patent RU 169 x Sepulveda Oct. 28, 1975 PINE OIL-AMMONIA CLEANSING 3,001,947 9/1961 Slahler et a] 252/153 COMPOSITION 3,115,471 l2/l963 Matuska et al. 252/DIG. 8 3,350,317 l0/l967 Symes 252/106 lnventofl Gilbert" Sepulveda, 1126 Wllbw 3,703,472 11/1972 Shaw et a1. .1 252/153 A .,H bok ..070 N J 30 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] 1973 263,661 1/1927 United Kingdom 252/154 [21] AppL 343,315 455,802 4/1949 Canada 252/119 I Primary Examiner-Benjamin R. Padgett [52] US. Cl. 252/99; 134/38, 252/102; Assistant Examiner christine Nucker 252/ 104; 252/112; 252/ I39; 252/l40; Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ladas, Parry, Von Gehr, 252/153; 252/155; 252/541; 252/DlG. 8 Goldsmih & Deschamps [51] Int. CL... 3088 7/00;C11D 3/l2; Cl lD 7/54; Cl 1D 7/56 [58] Field of Search 252/99, 102, I04, I06, [57] I T 252 2 H3 5 116 119, 139, 140 153, A cleans ng composition comprlses pme o1l, am1:noma,

55 DIG- 8 DIG- 14 34/38 a bleachmg agent and water. The composition is useful for removal of undesired markings from surfaces, 5 References Cited especially for the removal of ink and paint graffiti UNITED STATES PATENTS frorn metal, ccncrete and ceramic surfaces. T he com- 158142 4/1926 B b 252,99 position may include deterslve agents, abraslves and ee e 1,724,289 3/1928 Lanham 252/l l2 phosphate blinders 2,345,776 4/1944 Soderberg 252/139 3 Claims, N0 Drawings PINE OIL-AMMONIA CLEANSING COMPOSITION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleansing composition effective for removal of undesired markings from surfaces and to a method for removal of undesired markings, particularly ink and paint markings, from metal, concrete or ceramic surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cleansing composition comprising pine oil, ammonia, a bleaching agent and water.

2. Description of the Prior Art The removal of undesired markings, such as paint and ink, from various surfaces has been of interest for a long time. Such surfaces may have been inadvertently or intentionally marked, and the restoration of the original appearance may present considerable problems. Currently, there is great public interest in the removal of markings known as graffiti, which is a defacement, in the form of words or figures, of the walls and other surfaces of public places. Partly as a result of the great proliferation and availability of aerosol paint sprays and ink marking devices, it has proven to be quite difficult to avoid the defacement of public places by such graffiti.

Although many cleansing compositions and solvents are known in the prior art, most of such products have not been adapted to deal with the particular problems in the removal of graffiti. The removal of graffiti is difficult because the defacement is accomplished by means of a great variety of marking materials, many of which are inherently difficult to remove. Further, the mark ings are placed on a variety of surfaces, such as metals, concrete and ceramic surfaces. Some of these surfaces are porous, and the markings may penetrate the pores, making the problem of removal even more difficult. In addition, metals and other surfaces may have a coating or other finish which is defaced by the markings.

Cleansing compositions such as those disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,108,078 and 3,406,] 16, are known to contain a bleaching agent, an abrasive and a detersive agent. Such scouring cleansers are effective in only limited situations, and are generally not effective particularly for the removal of paints and inks from porous surfaces, or where abrasive action would be detrimental to the finish of the surface to be cleaned. Similarly, commercial bleaching solutions have only a limited effectiveness on paint, and the use of strong solvents is limited by the necessity to use particular solvent systems for particular ink or paint formulations, as well as the hazards involved in the inhalation and danger of tire when using such solvents.

Accordingly, there is a great need for a cleansing composition which is effective for the removal of a wide variety of different markings on different surfaces, presents minimal hazards, and is economical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a cleansing composition which is effective against a wide variety of said undesired markings is provided, said composition comprising pine oil, ammonia, a bleaching agent and water.

In accordance with the method of the invention, such composition may be applied to a wide variety of surfaces containing graffiti, and the effective removal of the graffiti is accomplished by wiping or brushing.

The composition additionally may include detersive agents, abrasives and phosphate or other builders, depending on the requirements of the particular markings and surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The components of the cleansing composition of the present invention may be present in varied amounts which may be adjusted to suit the nature of the markings to be removed, or the nature of the surface being cleaned. In general, the cleansing composition of the invention comprises, by weight, from about 10 to about 40 percent of pine oil, from about 0.5 to about 10 percent of Nl-l from about 0.1 to about 10 percent of a bleaching agent, and the balance being water.

A preferred composition according to the invention comprises, by weight, from about 20 to about 25 percent of pine oil, from about 0.8 to about 1.0 percent of NI-I from about 0.1 to about 1.0 percent of a bleaching agent, and the balance being water.

In some cases the addition of an abrasive detergent may increase the effectiveness of the composition, and it has been found effective to include in the composition of the invention one or more detersive agents, phosphate builders or abrasives. Where these are used, it is preferred to include per gallon of said composition, up to 2.5 pounds of a detergent comprising a detersive agent, a phosphate builder and an abrasive.

The pine oil component of the invention is a commercially available material obtained from pine wood by steam distillation or solvent extraction followed by steam distillation, and also by destructive distillation. It consists primarily of terpene alcohols, and may contain up to about 10 percent inert ingredients, primarily water.

The ammonia which is used in the composition may be obtained from any of the commercially available diluted or concentrated ammonia solutions, and conveniently a solution containing about 8 percent by weight NI-I may be used, in appropriate amounts to provide the desired effect.

The bleaching agent may be any of the commonly and commercially available substances such as oxalic acid, sodium hypochlorite, trichlorocyanuric acid, and the like. It has also been found effective to use bleaching agents derived from natural substances, such as lemon extracts.

When used, the detersive agent may be an inorganic or organic detergent as known in the art. A wide variety of abrasive agents may be employed, such as silica, diatomaceous earth and various clays.

Other additives commonly employed in detersive compositions may also be included for particular applications.

The following examples are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.

EXAMPLE l A cleansing composition is prepared by combining:

25 percent by volume of pine oil 10 percent by volume of aqueous ammonia (l5% Baume) 2% pounds of commercial scouring powder (consisting of by weight 88.5 percent silica, 3.5 percent sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, 7.0 percent inorganic salts and 1.0 percent trichlorocyanuric acid).

sufficient water-to make 1 gallon of the composition.

The above composition is found to be highly effective in the removal of paint and ink from a variety of surfaces.

EXAMPLE 2 The above composition is found to be effective for removal of a wide variety of graffiti from concrete and ceramic surfaces.

What is claimed is:

l. A cleansing composition effective for removal of undesired markings from surfaces, said composition comprising by weight, from about 10 to about 40 percent of pine oil, from about 0.5 to about 10 percent of NH from about 0.1 to about 10 percent of a bleaching agent, and the balance being water.

2. A cleansing composition according to claim 1, which comprises, by weight, from about 20 to about 25 percent of pine oil, from about 0.8 to about 1.0 percent of NH from about 0.1 to about 1.0 percent of a bleaching agent, and the balance being water.

3. A composition according to claim 2 which additionally includes a detersive agent, an abrasive and a phosphate builder. 

1. A CLEANSING COMPOSITION EFFECTIVE FOR REMOVAL OF UNDESIRED MARKING FROM SURFACES, SAID COMPOSITION COMPRISING BY WEIGHT, FROM ABOUT 10 TO ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF PINE OIL FROM ABOUT 0.5 TO ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF NH3 FROM ABOUT 0.1 TO ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF A BLEACHING AGENT, AND THE BALANCE BEING WATER.
 2. A cleansing composition according to claim 1, which comprises, by weight, from about 20 to about 25 percent of pine oil, from about 0.8 to about 1.0 percent of NH3, from about 0.1 to about 1.0 percent of a bleaching agent, and the balance being water.
 3. A composition according to claim 2 which additionally includes a detersive agent, an abrasive and a phosphate builder. 